MAGNUSON ENVIRONMENTALSTEWARDSHIP ALLIANCE

What We Do and Our Most Active Work Site Areas

The Magnuson Environmental Stewardship Alliance has been working at improving Seattle's Warren G. Magnuson Park for nearly two decades. Our work has included obtaining and administering large grants, participating in park development planning, serving on park project advisory teams and committees, leading countless work parties, individual stewardship on areas, and more. Each year we provide and install many plants at Magnuson and also provide about $70,000 or more worth of volunteer labor for site preparation, maintenance, planting, and other work.

The outcome of the work gives people places to experience and enjoy the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of being close to nature without need to leave the city and also provides other ecosystem services such as wildlife habitat, air and water cleansing, temperature moderation, storm water flow reduction, and a small amount of carbon sequestration.

Our work locations have ranged from Sand Point Way NE to the Lake Washington Shore and from the north to south property lines, Our most noticeable work has been in the Promontory Point, Forest Remnant Zone, Native Plant Border, and Sand Point Head (also known as Kite Hill) areas. Status of sites within these zones can be found on the Green Seattle Partnership Reference Map

Promontory Point Area

​​Totaling about 14 acres the Promontory Point section of the park is located south of NE 65th Street and includes an education pavilion,a butterfly garden, and good trails. It is possible to combine a loop through it to and from other sections of the park via the 65th Avenue NE gate and trails starting southwest of the boat launch,

The map below shows the Promontory Point Area and more. Click on the outlined restoration sites to learn more about them or zoom in or out to see more or less.

​Forest Remnant Zone

The Forest Remnant Zone located near NE 65th St. and Sports Field Drive NE contains the largest and oldest trees in the park. It's been undergoing restoration from being almost totally covered by ivy and other invasive plants since 2006. It contains the Magnuson Headwaters wetland, created by park staff in 2013. . A short but enjoyable pedestrian trail runs through it from about 100' east of 62nd Ave. NE on NE 65th St to a point near the baseball back stops Sports Field Drive NE.

The map below is centered on the Forest Remnant Zone which consists of the North Woodland, South Woodland, and Open Forest Margin sites. Click on the outlined restoration sites to learn more about them or zoom in or out to see more or less.

​Native Plant Border

​The Native Plant Border which consists largely a hedgerow and swales surrounding the Magnuson Community Garden and located east of the Brig building, north of the Junior League Play Area, and west of the off-leash area, and south of the NOAA fence line was first planted in 2001 and provides wildlife habitat, screening, a chance to see a variety of native plants.

The map below shows the Native Plant Border and more. Area stewarded by the Magnuson Environmental Stewardship Alliance includes the outlined area plus that adjacent to the amphitheater circle's southwest quadrant. Click on the outlined areas to learn more about them or zoom in or out to see more or less.

​Sand Point Head Area (also known as Kite Hill)

​Projects located on the crest and flanks of Sand Point Head from the swim beach parking lot and mowed portion of the hill to the Sports Meadow and NOAA fence line include the oldest near the crest planted in 1997 and a series of projects begun in 2009. Part of the North Cross Park Trail and a shorter trail midway between it and the Off Leash Area fence line run east to west through the area. Park staff created the North Wetland located along the NOAA fence line in 2012.

The map below shows the Sand Point Head Area. Click on the outlined restoration sites to learn more about them or zoom in or out to see more or less of the park.